View source for Heikki Kovalainen

{{short description|Finnish racing and rally driver (born 1981)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Infobox person
| name            = Heikki Kovalainen
| image           = Effect 20190609 091716.jpg
| caption         = Kovalainen in 2019
| birth_name      = Heikki Johannes Kovalainen
| birth_date      = {{birth date and age|1981|10|19|df=y}}
| birth_place     = [[Suomussalmi]], [[Kainuu]], Finland
| spouse          = {{marriage|Catherine Hyde|2014}}
| children        = 1
| module          =
{{infobox racing driver|embed=yes
| racing licence  = [[File:FIA Platinum Driver.png|12px]] [[FIA Platinum Categorisation|FIA Platinum]]
}}
| module2         =
{{Infobox F1 driver|embed=yes
| nationality     = {{flagicon|FIN}} [[Formula One drivers from Finland|Finnish]]
| Teams           = [[Renault F1|Renault]], [[McLaren]], [[Team Lotus (2010-11)|Team Lotus]], [[Caterham F1|Caterham]], [[Lotus F1|Lotus]]
| Years           = {{F1|2007}}–{{F1|2013}}
| Races           = 112 (111 starts)
| Championships   = 0 
| Wins            = 1
| Podiums         = 4
| Points          = 105
| Poles           = 1
| Fastest laps    = 2
| First race      = [[2007 Australian Grand Prix]]
| First win       = [[2008 Hungarian Grand Prix]]
| Last race       = [[2013 Brazilian Grand Prix]]
}}
| module3         =
{{Infobox racing driver|embed=yes
| last series     = [[Super GT]] career
| years active    = [[2015 Super GT Series|2015]]–[[2021 Super GT Series|2021]]
| teams           = [[SARD]]
| starts          = 54
| championships   = 1 ([[2016 Super GT Series|2016]])
| wins            = 5
| podiums         = 10
| poles           = 2
| fastest laps    = 2
| best finish     = 1st
| year            = [[2016 Super GT Series|2016]] <small>([[Super GT#GT500|GT500]])</small>
}}
| module4         =
{{Infobox WRC driver|embed=yes
| Years           = {{WRC|2022}}–{{WRC|2023}}
| Teams           = 
| Races           = 2
| Championships   = 0
| Wins            = 0
| Podiums         = 0
| Stagewins       = 0
| Points          = 1
| First race      = [[2022 Rally Japan]]
| First win       =
| Last win        =
| Last race       = [[2024 Rally Japan]]
}}}}

'''Heikki Johannes Kovalainen''' ({{IPA|fi|ˈhei̯kːi ˈkoʋɑlɑi̯nen}}; born 19 October 1981) is a Finnish [[auto racing|racing]] and [[rally driver]], who competed in [[Formula One]] from {{F1|2007}} to {{F1|2013}}. Kovalainen won the [[2008 Hungarian Grand Prix]] with [[McLaren]]. In [[sportscar racing]], Kovalainen won [[Super GT]] in [[2016 Super GT Series|2016]] with [[SARD]].

Kovalainen was supported by the [[Renault in Formula One|Renault]] Driver Development programme early in his racing career, during which he won the [[World Series by Nissan]] championship and finished runner-up in the [[GP2 series]]. [[Renault in Formula One|Renault]] signed him on as a full-time Formula One test driver for {{F1|2006}}, and then promoted him to a race seat for {{F1|2007}}. He gained his first podium by finishing second in the [[2007 Japanese Grand Prix|Japanese Grand Prix]] that year.

He moved to McLaren for the {{F1|2008}} season, where he partnered [[Lewis Hamilton]]. His second season in Formula One saw him achieve his first pole position at [[2008 British Grand Prix|Silverstone]] and his first victory at the [[2008 Hungarian Grand Prix|Hungaroring]], becoming the 100th driver to win a Formula One Grand Prix. He remained with the team for the {{F1|2009}} season.

In {{F1|2010}}, he moved to the newly created [[Team Lotus (2010–11)|Team Lotus]] where he also remained for {{F1|2011}} and {{F1|2012}}, with the team renamed [[Caterham F1]] for 2012, Kovalainen's last full season in Formula One. Although he didn't score points in the uncompetitive cars, he earned respect for outperforming drivers who were racing in similarly uncompetitive cars.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.racefans.net/2011/12/12/2011-f1-driver-rankings-part-156/|title=2011 F1 driver rankings part two: 15-6|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=12 December 2011|access-date=12 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/96751/vettel-voted-best-of-2011-by-f1-bosses|title=Sebastian Vettel voted best F1 driver of 2011 by team bosses|last=Noble|first=Jonathan|website=Autosport.com|language=en|access-date=2020-01-12}}</ref> Kovalainen competed in the last two races of the {{F1|2013}} season for [[Lotus F1]] as a short-notice stand-in for regular driver [[Kimi Räikkönen]].

In 2015, Kovalainen moved to Japan to compete in [[Super GT]] in the GT500 class with [[SARD|Team SARD]]. He won the championship in his second season in the series in [[2016 Super GT Series|2016]].

==Early career==

===Karting (1991–2000)===
Born in [[Suomussalmi]], [[Finland]], Kovalainen's career began in [[kart racing]], much like that of many other race car drivers. He competed in karting from 1991 to 2000, during which time he finished runner-up in the Finnish [[Formula A]] championship in 1999 and 2000. In 2000 he won the [[Nordic countries|Nordic]] championship and the [[Palais omnisports de Paris-Bercy|Paris-Bercy]] Elf Masters event, as well as finished third in the World Formula Super A Championship, leading him to be elected as the Finnish Kart Driver of the Year.

===Formula Renault (2001)===
Kovalainen began his car racing career in the [[British Formula Renault Championship]], which fellow Finn [[Kimi Räikkönen]] had won in 2000 before moving straight into Formula One with [[Sauber]]. Kovalainen's apprenticeship in the junior categories of motor sport was more conventional, but he used [[Renault in Formula One|Renault]] power at every step along the way.<ref name="kovalainenf1fbio">{{cite web | title = Who's Who: Heikki Kovalainen | publisher = F1Fanatic.co.uk | year = 2006 | url = http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/f1-information/whos-who/whos-who-k/heikki-kovalainen/ | access-date =2006-12-12}}</ref> He finished fourth in the championship with two wins, two pole positions, five podiums and three fastest laps, earning the Rookie of the Year award. He also took part in the [[Formula Three]] [[Macau Grand Prix]], where he finished eighth.

===Formula Three (2002)===
[[File:2002 Kovalainen.jpg|right|thumb|Kovalainen at the 2002 [[Macau Grand Prix]]]]
Kovalainen attracted the support of the Renault Driver Development programme and in 2002 moved up to the [[British Formula 3 Championship]] with [[Fortec Motorsport]] who used Renault engines. He became one of the most competitive drivers on the grid by the second half of the season and all five of his wins came in the final nine races. With three pole positions and three fastest laps, Kovalainen finished third overall in the championship behind [[Robbie Kerr (racing driver)|Robbie Kerr]] and [[James Courtney]]<ref name="kovalainenf1fbio" /> and he was again Rookie of the Year.

He also demonstrated strong form in the international non-championship rounds, with second place in Macau and fourth place at the [[Masters of Formula 3|Marlboro Masters]] at [[Circuit Park Zandvoort|Zandvoort]].

===World Series by Nissan (2003–2004)===
Kovalainen moved into the Renault-owned [[World Series by Nissan]] in 2003 – but faced a tough teammate at the Gabord team in [[Franck Montagny]]. Montagny had already spent two seasons in the World Series and had won the championship in 2001.<ref name="kovalainenf1fbio" /> Montagny won the 2003 title with nine wins to Kovalainen's one.

Kovalainen continued in the series in 2004, but moved to [[Pons Racing]], where he won the championship ahead of [[Tiago Monteiro]], with 192 points and six wins.<ref name="kovalainenf1fbio" /> With [[Kimi Räikkönen]] finishing seventh in [[Formula One]] and [[Marcus Grönholm]] fifth in the [[World Rally Championship]], Kovalainen received the Finnish Driver of the Year award.

===GP2 Series (2005)===
In [[2005 GP2 Series season|2005]], Kovalainen entered the [[GP2 Series]], the new 'feeder' series for F1 and the successor to [[International Formula 3000|Formula 3000]]. Driving for the [[Arden International]] team, Kovalainen began the season with strong results by winning the first round of the championship in [[Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari|Imola]] and then finishing third in the sprint race. In [[Circuit de Catalunya|Barcelona]] he scored his third consecutive podium, but in the sprint race his car stalled on the grid. He dominated the race in [[Circuit de Monaco|Monaco]] by claiming pole position, leading the race for the first 21 laps and clocking the fastest lap of the race. Problems during his pitstop, however, dropped him down to fifth. At the [[Nürburgring]] he gave his best performance yet, by winning the race from 17th on the grid. In the sprint race [[José María López]] caused a collision which forced Kovalainen to retire. At [[Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours|Magny-Cours]] he won again from fourth on the grid, and came third in the sprint race.

At this point in the season, however, a resurgent [[Nico Rosberg]] with his [[ART Grand Prix]] team seemed to find more speed and began scoring victories, emerging as Kovalainen's main rival for the championship. Kovalainen and Arden fought back, scoring podiums and points positions in [[Silverstone Circuit|Silverstone]], [[Hockenheimring|Hockenheim]] and [[Hungaroring]], but were unable to find the necessary speed to beat Rosberg. In [[Istanbul Park|Istanbul's]] feature race Kovalainen finished tenth due to engine problems, but in the sprint race held in wet conditions he returned to his winning ways. At [[Autodromo Nazionale Monza|Monza]] Arden were fast again, and Kovalainen snatched his second pole of the season and won the feature race. In the sprint race he could only manage fifth position, however, and this meant that with four races left in the season, Kovalainen was leading Rosberg by only four points.

After a chaotic weekend at [[Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps|Spa]] affected by rain and Safety Cars, Rosberg took the lead from Kovalainen. In the final two rounds in [[Bahrain International Circuit|Bahrain]], Rosberg and ART seemed to be unmatched again, and he secured the championship by winning the feature race with Kovalainen finishing third. Retiring from the last sprint race, Kovalainen finished runner-up in the series, 15 points adrift.<ref name="kovalainenf1fbio" />

==Formula One==

===Renault (2004–2007)===

====2004–2006====
[[File:Kovalainen cheste 2006-02 cropped.jpg|thumb|right|Kovalainen testing for [[Renault F1]] in 2006, at [[Circuit Ricardo Tormo|Valencia]]]]
Kovalainen, [[Franck Montagny]] and [[José María López]] tested the [[Renault R23]]B F1 car at Barcelona in December 2003. Kovalainen also tested for [[Minardi]], but Renault made him second test driver alongside Montagny for {{F1|2004}}.<ref name="kovalainenf1fbio" />

Kovalainen was promoted in Montagny's place at the end of {{F1|2005}} and spent the {{F1|2006}} season in a full-time testing role, logging over 28,000&nbsp;km of testing.

Renault's lead driver [[Fernando Alonso]] had signed for [[McLaren]] for the {{F1|2007}} season, and Renault elected to promote Kovalainen in his place, which they confirmed on 6 September 2006.<ref>{{cite web|title = Renault confirms Kovalainen|publisher = ITV-F1.com|url = http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=37215|access-date = 2015-10-29|date = 2006-09-07|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927001147/http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=37215|archive-date = 2007-09-27}}</ref> Team boss [[Flavio Briatore]] said: "With Kovalainen, I hope to find the anti-Alonso."<ref name="f1fbombshells">{{cite web |title = F1's biggest bombshells|publisher = F1Fanatic.co.uk|url = http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2006/12/19/f1%e2%80%99s-biggest-bombshells/|access-date = 2007-08-18|date = 2006-12-19|last = Collantine|first = Keith}}</ref>

====2007====
Kovalainen made his race debut at the {{F1 GP|2007|Australian}}. His season got off to a rough start; he made several mistakes during the race, finishing tenth. [[Flavio Briatore]] felt it was a disappointing debut for the young Finn and hoped the real Kovalainen would show up next time.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/briatore-very-critical-of-kovalainen-4408720/4408720/|title=Briatore very critical of Kovalainen|work=Autosport|date=March 18, 2007|access-date=March 26, 2024|last=Lostia|first=Michele|last2=Elizalde|first2=Pablo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113171946/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/briatore-very-critical-of-kovalainen-4408720/4408720/|archive-date=January 13, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Kov.JPG|thumb|right|Kovalainen at the [[2007 Australian Grand Prix]], leading [[Nico Rosberg]]]]
Kovalainen scored his first World Championship point in his second Grand Prix at [[2007 Malaysian Grand Prix|Sepang, Malaysia]], and followed this with a ninth place in [[2007 Bahrain Grand Prix|Bahrain]]. He then secured seventh place in [[2007 Spanish Grand Prix|Barcelona]], outperforming teammate [[Giancarlo Fisichella]], but finished down the order in [[2007 Monaco Grand Prix|Monaco]], in 13th.

In [[2007 Canadian Grand Prix|Canada]] he made mistakes throughout practice, including one at the exit of turn 7, and hit the barrier. He crashed at the first chicane in qualifying, and damaged his rear wing significantly, and failed to make it through to the second qualifying session. In the race he made progress early on, and then halted. He had luck with the strategy and the Safety Car, and a podium was within his grasp, but he could not find a way past [[Alexander Wurz]] of [[WilliamsF1|Williams]], who had also started towards the rear of the pack. Kovalainen was pulling away from the [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]] of [[Kimi Räikkönen]] in the closing stages, which was a real confidence booster for the team.

[[File:Heikki Kovalainen 2007 Britain 2.jpg|thumb|left|Kovalainen at the [[2007 British Grand Prix]]]]

In the {{F1 GP|2007|United States}} at [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway|Indianapolis]] he qualified in sixth position, and a good start saw him go past Räikkönen into fifth place. He held Räikkönen off, and led the race at the end of his first stint when the cars ahead of him made their pit stops. He re-joined behind Räikkönen and looked comfortable in sixth place until [[Nick Heidfeld]]'s [[BMW in Formula One|BMW Sauber]] broke down in front of him, and thus, Kovalainen finished fifth, while teammate Fisichella failed to score points.

The second half of the European season failed to produce equally strong results, but it did keep the points tally ticking over. During the {{F1 GP|2007|French}} at [[Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours|Magny-Cours]], he was battling with Fisichella until the sharp Adelaide hairpin, when [[Jarno Trulli]]'s [[Toyota Racing (Formula One team)|Toyota]] made an optimistic lunge up the inside of Kovalainen which wrecked both drivers' races. Kovalainen had to pit for repairs and eventually finished 15th. Seventh place at the {{F1 GP|2007|British}} was no disaster, with Fisichella finishing behind him.

[[File:Heikki Kovalainen watching 2007 Brazil GP.jpg|thumb|right|Kovalainen had time to watch the {{F1 GP|2007|Brazilian}} after his only retirement of the season.]]
Kovalainen scored a point at both the [[2007 European Grand Prix|Nürburgring]] and the [[2007 Hungarian Grand Prix|Hungaroring]], and scored three more in [[2007 Turkish Grand Prix|Turkey]], with Kovalainen coming ahead of [[Robert Kubica]]. Kovalainen again led the Grand Prix when cars ahead of him made their pit stops. Seventh place at [[2007 Italian Grand Prix|Monza]] was a fair result. The team took a gamble in the next race at [[2007 Belgian Grand Prix|Spa-Francorchamps]], with Kovalainen on a one-stop strategy while his challengers for the rear end of the points were all on two-stop strategies, which included the BMW's of Heidfeld and Kubica (who was docked ten places down the grid due to an engine change), [[Nico Rosberg]] and [[Mark Webber (racing driver)|Mark Webber]]. A good start from Kovalainen saw him become a mobile chicane for all of them except Webber. The gamble did not pay off, although Kovalainen held off Kubica in the closing stages to secure the final points position. Better was to come at the {{F1 GP|2007|Japanese}} at [[Fuji Speedway]], where, despite not making it through to the final qualifying session, Kovalainen raced well. While most of his rivals got into trouble one way or another in the hazardous wet conditions, Kovalainen did not and held off Kimi Räikkönen in the closing laps to take second place and his first podium in Formula One.

After finishing ninth in the {{F1 GP|2007|Chinese}}, Kovalainen made a mistake in qualifying in [[2007 Brazilian Grand Prix|Brazil]] and was left 17th on the grid. At the start of the race [[Ralf Schumacher]] collided with Kovalainen, forcing him to pit. His teammate Fisichella was involved in a collision with [[Sakon Yamamoto]]. On lap 36 he felt a vibration at the left rear, and suddenly something on the rear suspension snapped, launching Kovalainen into the barriers. The retirement, possibly caused by damage from the collision with Schumacher, was his first of the season, meaning he lost the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of becoming the first driver to finish all of the races in his first season. At the time, he shared the record for most consecutive finishes from start of career with [[Tiago Monteiro]], both having finished 16 races, until [[Max Chilton]] broke the record by finishing his first 25 races in {{F1|2013}} and {{F1|2014}}.

===McLaren (2008–2009)===
At the end of the 2007 season [[Fernando Alonso]] returned to Renault, and Kovalainen was left with offers from [[Toyota Racing (Formula One team)|Toyota]] and [[McLaren]].<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/64341|title = Renault thankful to Fisichella, Kovalainen|publisher = autosport.com|date = 2007-12-10|access-date = 2008-11-14|last = Elizalde|first = Pablo}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/64352|title = Kovalainen not surprised by Renault exit|publisher = autosport.com|date = 2007-12-11|access-date = 2008-11-14|last = Noble|first = Jonathan}}</ref> On 14 December 2007 it was confirmed that Kovalainen would replace Alonso once again and drive for McLaren Mercedes in {{F1|2008}}, alongside [[Lewis Hamilton]].<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2007/12/7182.html|title = Kovalainen to partner Hamilton at McLaren for 2008|publisher = Formula1.com|date = 2007-12-14|access-date = 2015-10-29|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071215203814/http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2007/12/7182.html|archive-date = 2007-12-15}}</ref><ref>BBC 31/07/08</ref> Kovalainen joined [[Keke Rosberg]], [[Mika Häkkinen]] and [[Kimi Räikkönen]] as Finnish drivers that have driven for McLaren.

====2008====
[[File:Kovaspa08-3.jpg|thumb|right|Kovalainen driving the [[McLaren]] [[McLaren MP4-23|MP4-23]]]]

After his first official testing session occurred on 9 January 2008 at [[Circuito de Jerez|Jerez]], Kovalainen made his McLaren race début at the {{F1 GP|2008|Australian}}, where he was quickest in the first qualifying session and started third on the grid behind [[Lewis Hamilton]] and [[Robert Kubica]]. He overtook Fernando Alonso on the final lap, but then accidentally hit the pit lane limiter granting fourth place to Alonso, himself finishing fifth, but Kovalainen did set the fastest lap of the race.

In [[2008 Malaysian Grand Prix|Malaysia]] he was penalised five places for blocking [[Nick Heidfeld]]'s [[BMW Sauber]] in the latter stages of qualifying, dropping to eighth. Kovalainen finished the race third as Hamilton faced problems in the pits, and Ferrari's [[Felipe Massa]] retired due to a spin. In [[2008 Bahrain Grand Prix|Bahrain]] he flatspotted a tyre on the first lap and was consequently well off the pace of the Ferraris and the BMW Saubers.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2008/4/7608.html|title = Bahrain Grand Prix — selected driver quotes|date = 2008-04-06|access-date = 2015-10-29|website = Formula1.com|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080408061252/http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2008/4/7608.html|archive-date = 2008-04-08}}</ref> Towards the end he improved and recorded the fastest lap of the race again, coming home fifth.

[[File:Heikki Kovalainen 2008 Monaco-2.jpg|thumb|left|Kovalainen at the {{F1 GP|2008|Monaco}}]]

At the {{F1 GP|2008|Spanish}}, Kovalainen had just taken the lead, when his front-left tyre suddenly deflated and his car crashed into the tyre wall on lap 22. Kovalainen's car was almost completely buried under the tyres. The Safety Car was deployed for six laps as the debris was removed, and he was finally removed from the car and placed on a stretcher, at which point he gave a "thumbs-up". He was then taken by helicopter to a [[Barcelona]] area hospital for further tests. His final condition was a minor concussion, whilst also complaining of a sore elbow and neck.<ref>[http://www.heikkikovalainen.net/eng/news/?id=117 Blessing in disguise for Heikki], Heikki Kovalainen web site, 27 April 2008, date accessed 27 April 2008</ref> Kovalainen apparently did not lose consciousness at any point, according to the people who assisted him at the scene, but he himself had no memory of the accident nor of giving the "thumbs-up". The first thing he remembered was waking up at the hospital and the team doctor telling him what had happened.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2008/5/7741.html|title = FIA Thursday press conference — Turkey|date = 2008-05-08|access-date = 2015-10-29|website = Formula1.com|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141006160052/http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2008/5/7741.html|archive-date = 2014-10-06}}</ref> Kovalainen was released from the hospital two days later and he was able to race in Turkey. The cause of the accident was later determined to have been a production error on the wheel rim.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/racing/racing/f1/columns/story?columnist=knutson_dan&id=3389368 Kovalainen a walking miracle after spectacular crash in Spanish GP], ESPN.com, By Dan Knutson, 9 May 2008, date accessed 25 November 2008</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://blogf1.co.uk/2008/05/08/mclaren-conclude-investigation-into-heikkis-shunt/|title = McLaren Conclude Investigation Into Heikki's Shunt|date = 2008-05-08|access-date = 2015-10-29|website = blogf1.co.uk|last = White|first = Oliver|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100328023714/http://blogf1.co.uk/2008/05/08/mclaren-conclude-investigation-into-heikkis-shunt/|archive-date = 2010-03-28}}</ref><ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/kovalainen-crash-has-eerily-familiar-echo-816697.html Kovalainen crash has eerily familiar echo], [[The Independent]], By David Tremayne in Barcelona, Monday, 28 April 2008, date accessed 27 April 2008</ref>

In the {{F1 GP|2008|Turkish}}, evidence of the different driving styles used by the two McLaren drivers became apparent. Hamilton's more aggressive driving style meant that he had to adopt a three-stop strategy for the race due to concerns over his tyres' durability at Istanbul Park, while Kovalainen was able to use a two-stop strategy.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2008/5/7772.html|title = Tyre fears prompted Hamilton's three-stop strategy|date = 2008-05-11|access-date = 2015-10-29|website = Formula1.com|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141006105930/http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2008/5/7772.html|archive-date = 2014-10-06}}</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20120918084103/http://www.turunsanomat.fi/f1/?ts=1,3:2001:0:0,4:35:0:0:0;4:36:0:0:0;4:34:661:1:2008-05-13,104:34:540534,1:0:0:0:0:0: Eri tyyleillä samaan nopeuteen], [[Turun Sanomat]], By Heikki Kulta, 13 May 2008, date accessed 10 November 2008{{Dead link|date=October 2015}}</ref> Kovalainen qualified in second place, but suffered a puncture during a fight with Kimi Räikkönen in the first corner and dropped back to finish the race in 12th place.

More disappointment was to follow in [[2008 Monaco Grand Prix|Monaco]] when a software glitch stalled his car on the grid. He was able to start from the pitlane after the mechanics changed his steering wheel, and he made his way up to score a point for eighth place.<ref>
{{cite news | url =http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/67787 | title = Q & A with Martin Whitmarsh | publisher =autosport.com | date =2008-05-27 | access-date =2008-11-10}}</ref> In [[2008 Canadian Grand Prix|Montreal]], Kovalainen experienced difficulties with his tyres, as they seemed to degrade much more rapidly than Hamilton's, and the team was forced to tell him to take it easy in order to avoid a puncture.<ref>[http://www.turunsanomat.fi/f1/?ts=1,3:2001:0:0,4:35:0:0:0;4:36:0:0:0;4:34:669:1:2008-06-09,104:34:546110,1:0:0:0:0:0: Kovalaisella täysi katastrofi]{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, [[Turun Sanomat]], By Heikki Kulta, 9 June 2008, date accessed 10 November 2008</ref> He finished ninth, and later described his race as a total catastrophe, suspecting the tyre issues had something to do with his driving style.<ref>
{{cite news | url =http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/68143 | title = Canada Sunday quotes: McLaren | publisher =autosport.com | date =2008-06-08 | access-date =2008-11-10}}</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20120914000508/http://www.turunsanomat.fi/f1/?ts=1,3:2001:0:0,4:35:0:0:0;4:36:0:0:0;4:34:670:1:2008-06-13,104:34:547174,1:0:0:0:0:0: Heikki pistää ajon uomiin Ranskassa], [[Turun Sanomat]], By Heikki Kulta, 13 June 2008, date accessed 10 November 2008</ref> At the {{F1 GP|2008|French}} Kovalainen started tenth on the grid, after being docked five places for blocking Mark Webber in qualifying, and finished the race in fourth.

At [[2008 British Grand Prix|Silverstone]], Kovalainen achieved his first pole position, and led the race for the first four laps, before Hamilton passed him at Stowe. Despite two spins due to losing grip on the wet circuit, Kovalainen finished fifth. After the race Kovalainen reported similar tyre problems that he suffered in Canada; after a few laps the rear tyres were completely degraded and had lost their grip.<ref>
{{cite news | url =http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/68967 | title = Kovalainen blames style for tyre trouble | publisher =autosport.com | date =2008-07-07 | access-date =2008-11-10}}</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20120914164441/http://www.turunsanomat.fi/f1/?ts=1,3:2001:0:0,4:35:0:0:0;4:36:0:0:0;4:34:676:1:2008-07-07,104:34:551407,1:0:0:0:0:0: Keli ja tallikaveri liikaa Heikille], [[Turun Sanomat]], By Heikki Kulta, 7 July 2008, date accessed 10 November 2008</ref><ref>[http://www.turunsanomat.fi/f1/?ts=1,3:2001:0:0,4:35:0:0:0;4:36:0:0:0;4:34:676:1:2008-07-07,104:34:551409,1:0:0:0:0:0: Heikki joutuu tutkimaan ajotyyliään]{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, [[Turun Sanomat]], By Heikki Kulta, 7 July 2008, date accessed 10 November 2008</ref>

[[File:Kovalainen + Hamilton 2008 Britain-2.jpg|thumb|left|Kovalainen leading [[Lewis Hamilton]] at [[2008 British Grand Prix|Silverstone]]]]

At the {{F1 GP|2008|German}} Kovalainen finished fifth. In the week leading up to the Hungarian Grand Prix, McLaren confirmed that Kovalainen would remain with the team for {{F1|2009}}.<ref>{{cite news| title =McLaren confirm Kovalainen for 2009| publisher =autosport.com| url =http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/69523| date =2008-07-31| access-date =2008-07-31}}</ref> He won his only race at [[2008 Hungarian Grand Prix|Hungary]] and became the 100th driver to win a Formula One Grand Prix after race leader Felipe Massa retired due to an engine failure with three laps remaining.<ref>{{cite news | url =http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/69649 | title = Kovalainen inherits Hungarian GP win | publisher =autosport.com | date =2008-08-03 | access-date =2008-08-03}}</ref> After the race Kovalainen commented: "In previous races my driving was too hard on the tyres. For this race we made somewhat radical changes to the set-up, and they were definitely a step in the right direction."<ref>
{{cite news | url =http://www.hs.fi/urheilu/artikkeli/Kovalaiselle+ensimm%C3%A4inen+t%C3%A4ysosuma/1135238322662 | title =Kovalaiselle ensimmäinen täysosuma | publisher =[[Helsingin Sanomat]] | date =2008-08-03 | access-date =2008-11-28 | url-status =dead | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20090326060652/http://www.hs.fi/urheilu/artikkeli/Kovalaiselle+ensimm%C3%A4inen+t%C3%A4ysosuma/1135238322662 | archive-date =2009-03-26 }}</ref> He finished the following race in [[2008 European Grand Prix|Valencia]] in fourth position, which moved him into the top five in the championship.

In September Kovalainen elaborated on the tyre issues for [[Autosport]]. The problem seemed to be indeed caused by his different driving style compared to Hamilton, particularly the way he enters corners, uses brakes differently and then accelerates. Hamilton turns the car in a shorter time whereas Kovalainen is trying to make the corners more round, inadvertently causing more wear on the tyres. They had made progress by adapting the car and working on his driving style.<ref>
{{cite news | url =http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/70283 | title = Kovalainen overcoming tyre problems | publisher =autosport.com | date =2008-09-05 | access-date =2008-11-10}}</ref><ref>
{{cite news | url =http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/70284 | title = Q & A with Heikki Kovalainen | publisher =autosport.com | date =2008-09-05 | access-date =2008-11-10}}</ref>

In [[2008 Belgian Grand Prix|Belgium]] he qualified third, but lost eight places at the start.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.fia.com/en-GB/sport/championships/f1/2008/belgium/Pages/lap_chart.aspx 
 |title=Lap Chart&nbsp;– 2008 Belgian Grand Prix 
 |publisher=FIA 
 |access-date=2011-06-17 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101111021335/http://www.fia.com/en-GB/sport/championships/f1/2008/belgium/Pages/lap_chart.aspx 
 |archive-date=2010-11-11 
}}</ref> On lap ten he collided with [[Mark Webber (racing driver)|Mark Webber]] and was given a drive-through penalty, which dropped him to fifteenth place. He worked his way back up to seventh, but on the final lap had to retire due to a gearbox failure, which left him outside the points. At the {{F1 GP|2008|Italian}} he qualified second behind [[Sebastian Vettel]] in the tricky wet conditions. In the race Kovalainen developed brake temperature problems, however, and could not match Vettel's pace, finishing in second place, but was disappointed at the lost chance for a win.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120917112353/http://www.turunsanomat.fi/f1/?ts=1,3:2001:0:0,4:35:0:0:0;4:36:0:0:0;4:34:696:1:2008-09-25,104:34:566672,1:0:0:0:0:0: Jarrujen hoito Monzan opetus Heikille], [[Turun Sanomat]], By Heikki Kulta, 25 September 2008, date accessed 10 November 2008</ref>

In [[2008 Singapore Grand Prix|Singapore]], Kovalainen qualified fifth, and tried to overtake Kubica for fourth place at the start of the race, but they made contact at Turn 3, causing Kovalainen to lose two places to Glock and Vettel. During a Safety Car period, both McLarens pitted at the same time and Kovalainen had to queue up behind Hamilton, dropping him down the order to 14th. He ultimately finished tenth.

Prior to the {{F1 GP|2008|Japanese}} Kovalainen discussed his driving style and the tyre problems in an interview with the Finnish newspaper [[Turun Sanomat]], feeling they had now solved the issues. He explained his driving style was now very close to Hamilton's, as well as his car set-up. Hamilton's aggressive driving style seemed to work the best with the [[McLaren MP4-23]], allowing the tyres to last longer. Hamilton hits the brakes harder and turns the car more quickly into the corner, while Kovalainen's softer driving style would be to drive with a longer curve into the corner, going easier on the brakes and accelerating halfway through the corner. Since the McLaren was harder on the tyres than the [[Renault F1|Renault]] and the [[Bridgestone]]s were not quite as robust as the [[Michelin]]s, that driving style now led to excessive tyre degradation.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120919154619/http://www.turunsanomat.fi/f1/?ts=1,3:2001:0:0,4:35:0:0:0;4:36:0:0:0;4:34:700:1:2008-10-09,104:34:569397,1:0:0:0:0:0: Heikillä ja Hamiltonilla nyt yhtä lyhyet mutkat], [[Turun Sanomat]], By Heikki Kulta, 9 October 2008, date accessed 10 November 2008</ref> In Japan Kovalainen qualified third behind Hamilton and [[Kimi Räikkönen]]. During the initial tussle between Hamilton and Räikkönen, Kovalainen was pushed off the track along with several other cars. Kovalainen was running in third when on lap 17 his car suffered an engine failure.<ref>[http://www.turunsanomat.fi/f1/?ts=1,3:2001:0:0,4:35:0:0:0;4:36:0:0:0;4:34:701:1:2008-10-09,104:34:569954,1:0:0:0:0:0: Heikillä vuoden parhaat hetkensä]{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, [[Turun Sanomat]], By Heikki Kulta, 12 October 2008, date accessed 10 November 2008</ref>

At the {{F1 GP|2008|Chinese}} on his 27th birthday, he qualified in fifth position despite leading the timesheets in the initial part of third qualifying.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120913153804/http://www.turunsanomat.fi/f1/?ts=1,3:2001:0:0,4:35:0:0:0;4:36:0:0:0;4:34:704:1:2008-10-18,104:34:571121,1:0:0:0:0:0: Aika-ajo ei pilaa Heikin synttäriä], [[Turun Sanomat]], By Heikki Kulta, 18 October 2008, date accessed 10 November 2008</ref> In the race, Kovalainen's first set of front tyres had been marked incorrectly, so the left tyre was installed on the right-hand side of the car and vice versa, meaning the tyres were spinning in the wrong direction, causing understeer. He reported the understeer on the radio, and during his first pit stop the mechanics tried to improve the situation by raising the front-wing angle. Now that he also had correctly marked tyres, however, meant that the front-wing was now causing oversteer and making the front of the car heavier. This possibly caused the puncture to his front right tyre on lap 35, forcing him to pit and drop down to 17th, before he finally retired on lap 49 due to a hydraulics problem.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120914024448/http://www.turunsanomat.fi/f1/?ts=1,3:2001:0:0,4:35:0:0:0;4:36:0:0:0;4:34:705:1:2008-10-19,104:34:571323,1:0:0:0:0:0: Kovan onnen Heikillä kaikki pieleen], [[Turun Sanomat]], By Heikki Kulta, 19 October 2008, date accessed 10 November 2008</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ts.fi/urheilu/1074313374|title = Heikillä ensi kertaa uralla renkaat väärinpäin|publisher=[[Turun Sanomat]]|first=Heikki|last=Kulta|date=2008-10-19|access-date =2022-02-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url =http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/71610 | title = China Sunday quotes: McLaren | publisher =autosport.com | date =2008-10-19 | access-date =2008-11-10}}</ref>

Going into the {{F1 GP|2008|Brazilian}}, Kovalainen qualified fifth on the grid, leading many to believe that the McLarens were fuelled heavier than the other frontrunners, having set the pace earlier in the weekend.<ref>
{{cite news | url =http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/71935 | title = Q & A with Ron Dennis | publisher =autosport.com | date =2008-11-02 | access-date =2008-11-27}}</ref><ref>
{{cite news | url =http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/71938 | title = Analysis: Hamilton must stay out of trouble | publisher =autosport.com | date =2008-11-02 | access-date =2008-11-27}}</ref><ref>
{{cite news | url =http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/71906 | title = Hamilton focused on his own game plan | publisher =autosport.com | date =2008-11-01 | access-date =2008-11-27}}</ref> Kovalainen eventually finished seventh.

====2009====
[[File:Heikki Kovalainen Jerez Feb 2009 3611a.jpg|thumb|left|Kovalainen testing the [[McLaren MP4-24]] at [[Circuito de Jerez|Jerez]]]]
[[File:Heikki Kovalainen 2009 Turkey 2.jpg|thumb|right|Kovalainen at the [[2009 Turkish Grand Prix]]]]

At the start of the {{F1|2009}} season McLaren were struggling for pace. Both Kovalainen and Hamilton failed to get into the top ten in qualifying for the first two races.

In the {{F1 GP|2009|Australian}}, Kovalainen retired due to a collision with [[Mark Webber (racing driver)|Mark Webber]] in the first corner and in [[2009 Malaysian Grand Prix|Malaysia]] he spun off on the first lap while fighting for position with Hamilton and Massa. In [[2009 Chinese Grand Prix|China]] he scored his first points of the season by finishing fifth. McLaren gradually developed the car and results began to improve, with Kovalainen finishing eighth in [[2009 German Grand Prix|Germany]], fifth in [[2009 Hungarian Grand Prix|Hungary]] and his best result of the season, a fourth place at the {{F1 GP|2009|European}}. This was followed by back-to-back sixth places at [[2009 Belgian Grand Prix|Spa]] and [[2009 Italian Grand Prix|Monza]], and seventh in [[2009 Singapore Grand Prix|Singapore]]. He ended the season with 22 points having had five retirements, this left him in 12th position in the championship. On 18 November it was announced that recently crowned world champion [[Jenson Button]] had been signed on a multi-year deal as Hamilton's teammate leaving Kovalainen<ref>{{cite news|last=Benson |first=Andrew |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8363892.stm |title=BBC Sport&nbsp;– F1&nbsp;– Button joins Hamilton at McLaren |publisher=BBC News |date=2009-11-18 |access-date=2009-12-15}}</ref> without a 2010 F1 drive.

===Lotus (2010–2011)===

====2010====
[[File:Heikki Kovalainen 2010 Malaysia 2nd Free Practice.jpg|thumb|Kovalainen driving for [[Team Lotus (2010–11)|Lotus]] at the [[2010 Malaysian Grand Prix]]]]

It was announced on 14 December 2009, that Kovalainen would drive for [[Team Lotus (2010–11)|Lotus Racing]] in 2010 along with [[Jarno Trulli]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lotusf1racing.my/article/items/prime-minister-announces-lotus-f1-racing-2010-drivers.html|title=Prime Minister announces Lotus F1 Racing 2010 drivers&nbsp;– Lotus F1 Fan Site|access-date=2009-12-14|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120604200744/http://www.lotusf1racing.my/article/items/prime-minister-announces-lotus-f1-racing-2010-drivers.html|archive-date=2012-06-04}}</ref> The team made their debut at the {{F1 GP|2010|Bahrain}} on 14 March 2010. The car was off the pace in pre-season testing, due to a lack of downforce caused by the need for a conservative initial design.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.crash.net/f1/news/157020/1/kovalainen_lotus_f1_lacking_downforce__but_car_has_potential.html|title=Kovalainen: Lotus F1 lacking downforce&nbsp;– but car has potential|work=crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|date=2010-02-21|access-date=2010-02-22}}</ref> Kovalainen finished in fifteenth position in the race, two laps down on winner [[Fernando Alonso]].

In [[2010 Australian Grand Prix|Australia]], Trulli did not start the race and Kovalainen finished 13th. In [[2010 Malaysian Grand Prix|Malaysia]], Kovalainen retired with 10 laps to go, and followed this up with fourteenth in [[2010 Chinese Grand Prix|China]], while in [[2010 Spanish Grand Prix|Spain]] Kovalainen failed to start with [[gearbox]] problems. He retired in [[2010 Monaco Grand Prix|Monaco]] with steering problems, and in [[2010 Turkish Grand Prix|Turkey]] with hydraulic problems. Kovalainen finished 16th in [[2010 Canadian Grand Prix|Canada]], 2 laps down.
[[File:Prove 81° Gran Premio d'Italia 2010 - Monza -10-09-2010 (4982258434).jpg|thumb|Kovalainen driving for Lotus at the [[2010 Italian Grand Prix]]]]
At [[2010 European Grand Prix|Valencia]] on lap 9 [[Mark Webber (racing driver)|Mark Webber]]'s [[Red Bull Racing|Red Bull]] hit Kovalainen's Lotus and went over the top, before landing and skidding into the barrier. Kovalainen recovered to the pits but retired from the race. A 17th-place finish at [[2010 British Grand Prix|Silverstone]] and a fourteenth in [[2010 Hungarian Grand Prix|Hungary]] sandwiched his fourth retirement of the season in [[2010 German Grand Prix|Germany]], due to damage caused by a collision with [[Sauber]]'s [[Pedro de la Rosa]]. He retired yet again at the [[2010 Singapore Grand Prix]] after his car caught fire in the final lap, although his decision to not go into the pit lane and instead stop at the side of the track and tackle the blaze himself was met with applause from the crowd.

====2011====
[[File:Heikki Kovalainen 2011 Malaysia FP2.jpg|thumb|Kovalainen driving for [[Team Lotus (2010–11)|Lotus]] at the [[2011 Malaysian Grand Prix]]]]
Kovalainen remained with Lotus in {{F1|2011}}. At the season-opening {{F1 GP|2011|Australian}}, he was forced to retire after a water leak, before recording his first finish of the season in [[2011 Malaysian Grand Prix|Malaysia]] where he finished 15th, before a 16th-place finish in [[2011 Chinese Grand Prix|China]]. He finished 19th in [[2011 Turkish Grand Prix|Turkey]] and crashed out in [[2011 Spanish Grand Prix|Spain]], having started from 15th on the grid, outqualifying the [[Force India]]s of [[Paul di Resta]] and [[Adrian Sutil]]. He finished 14th in [[2011 Monaco Grand Prix|Monaco]] and 19th at the {{F1 GP|2011|European}}, with further retirements in [[2011 Canadian Grand Prix|Canada]] and [[2011 British Grand Prix|Great Britain]]. Kovalainen finished 16th at the {{F1 GP|2011|German}}, before another retirement due to a water leak in [[2011 Hungarian Grand Prix|Hungary]]. Kovalainen then finished each of the next five races, with a best placing of 13th at the {{F1 GP|2011|Italian}}. He also finished on the lead lap, in 18th place at the {{F1 GP|2011|Japanese}}, and finished ahead of the [[Sauber]]s of [[Kamui Kobayashi]] and [[Sergio Pérez]] in [[2011 Korean Grand Prix|Korea]], in 14th place. In [[2011 Indian Grand Prix|India]], Kovalainen finished 14th again, running as high as tenth place during the race.

During the season, Kovalainen outqualified teammates Trulli and [[Karun Chandhok]] in 17 out of the 19 races held, and Team Lotus principal [[Tony Fernandes]] stated that he was satisfied with Kovalainen's performance over the season.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96525|title=Heikki Kovalainen not leaving Team Lotus any time soon, says Tony Fernandes|first=Jonathan|last=Noble|work=[[Autosport]]|publisher=[[Haymarket Group|Haymarket Publications]]|date=27 November 2011|access-date=29 November 2011}}</ref>

===Caterham (2012–2013)===
[[File:Heikki Kovalainen 2012 Malaysia FP1.jpg|thumb|Kovalainen, complete with his new ''[[Angry Birds]]''-themed helmet design, driving for [[Caterham F1|Caterham]] at the [[2012 Malaysian Grand Prix]].]]

====2012====
Kovalainen was retained by the team&nbsp;– renamed [[Caterham F1]] for {{F1|2012}}&nbsp;– for a third year, partnering [[Vitaly Petrov]]. This season was more stable, as Kovalainen finished all races but the initial [[2012 Australian Grand Prix|Australian Grand Prix]].

====2013====
[[File:Heikki Kovalainen F.P. Monza 2013.jpg|thumb|Kovalainen testing at the [[2013 Italian Grand Prix]]]]
Kovalainen and Petrov were dropped in favour of [[Charles Pic]] and [[Giedo van der Garde]] ahead of the {{F1|2013}} season, but Kovalainen remained on good terms with Caterham, attending the [[2013 Malaysian Grand Prix|Malaysian Grand Prix]] as a personal guest of Tony Fernandes.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kovalainen rejoins Caterham|publisher=Pitpass|work=pitpass.com|url=http://www.pitpass.com/48875-Kovalainen-rejoins-Caterham|date=2013-04-17|access-date=2013-04-18}}</ref> Ahead of the [[2013 Bahrain Grand Prix|Bahrain Grand Prix]], the team announced that it had re-signed Kovalainen as one of its reserve drivers, replacing [[Ma Qing Hua]] and alongside [[Alexander Rossi (racing driver)|Alexander Rossi]], in which role he took part in the first free practice sessions in Bahrain and [[2013 Spanish Grand Prix|Spain]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Kovalainen rejoins Caterham as reserve|url=http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2013/4/14466.html|publisher=Formula 1|access-date=17 April 2013|date=17 April 2013}}</ref>

===Lotus (2013)===

====2013====
[[File:US Grand Prix - Friday Practice (10892738396).jpg|thumb|right|Kovalainen at the United States Grand Prix, subbing in for compatriot Räikkönen]]
On 14 November 2013 it was confirmed by the [[Lotus F1 Team]] that Kovalainen would stand in for regular driver [[Kimi Räikkönen]] as Räikkönen was having back surgery. Kovalainen raced at the [[2013 United States Grand Prix|United States Grand Prix]] and the [[2013 Brazilian Grand Prix|Brazilian Grand Prix]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Galloway |first=James |url=http://www1.skysports.com/f1/news/12473/9025550/heikki-kovalainen-seals-f1-race-return-with-lotus-for-final-two-races-of-2013-season |title=Heikki Kovalainen seals F1 race return with Lotus for final two races of 2013 season |publisher=Sky Sports |date=2013-11-14 |access-date=2013-11-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula-one/24946180 |title=Heikki Kovalainen replaces Kimi Raikkonen at Lotus |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2013-11-14 |access-date=2013-11-24}}</ref> He finished 14th in both races.

===After Lotus===
He was linked with joining [[Mercedes-Benz in Formula One|Mercedes]] as a test driver for {{f1|2014}}<ref>[http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns27890.html Kovalainen to be Mercedes test driver?]</ref> and reuniting with his former McLaren teammate [[Lewis Hamilton]] however it was never confirmed. In August he completed a test for the [[BMW Motorsport]] [[Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters|DTM]] team with a [[BMW 4 Series (F32)#BMW M4 DTM (2014-)|BMW M4 DTM]].

In August 2020, F1, in partnership with Amazon Web Services and machine learning, ranked Kovalainen as the 8th fastest Formula One driver in qualifying from 1983 to 2020.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|title=Hamilton? Schumacher? Senna? Machine learning reveals the fastest F1 driver of the past 40 years|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.hamilton-schumacher-senna-machine-learning-reveals-the-fastest-f1-driver-of.3DwwPLW4glCmlunjciH1Cz.html|access-date=2020-08-18|website=www.formula1.com|language=en}}</ref> This was from a partnership with AWS ([[Amazon Web Services]]), who used an algorithm of the performance of every driver compared to their teammates to determine the fastest drivers in F1 qualifying sessions.<ref name=":0" />

==Race of Champions==
[[File:Kovalainen and Schumacher - 2007 Race of Champions 2-2.jpg|thumb|Kovalainen and [[Michael Schumacher]] at the [[2007 Race of Champions]]]]
Kovalainen competed in the [[2004 Race of Champions]] at the [[Stade de France]] in [[Paris]]. In the first two rounds he defeated [[Formula One]] drivers [[David Coulthard]] and [[Jean Alesi]], and then [[Scuderia Ferrari|Ferrari]] Formula One star [[Michael Schumacher]] in a [[Ferrari 360 Modena]] in the semi-finals. He then beat [[World Rally Championship|World Rally Champion]] [[Sébastien Loeb]] in the finals using the Ferrari and a [[Peugeot 307]] WRC car, although Kovalainen had never even sat in a rally car before, to become the first non-rally driver to win the ''[[Henri Toivonen]] Memorial Trophy'' and earn the title "[[Race of Champions#2004|Champion of Champions]]". He also participated in the Nations Cup alongside countryman [[Marcus Grönholm]], but they finished in second place after Kovalainen's [[Ferrari 360 Modena]] broke down in the finals, losing to the French team of Loeb and Alesi.

He returned to the Race of Champions in [[2005 Race of Champions|2005]], defeating [[Bernd Schneider (racing driver)|Bernd Schneider]] and [[Felipe Massa]], but was then knocked out in the semi-finals by [[Tom Kristensen (racing driver)|Tom Kristensen]].<ref name="kovalainenf1fbio" /> Kovalainen won the Nations Cup with Grönholm in [[2006 Race of Champions|2006]], but was eliminated in the individual event at the semi-final stage by [[Mattias Ekström]] by a mere 0.0002 seconds. In [[2007 Race of Champions|2007]], Kovalainen and Grönholm again made the Nations Cup final, where they lost to the [[Germany|German]] team of [[Michael Schumacher]] and [[Sebastian Vettel]]. Kovalainen beat Vettel in the individual race, before crashing on the finish line in the next round against [[Andy Priaulx]]. He crossed the line out of control, and Priaulx pipped him.

Kovalainen returned to the event in [[2010 Race of Champions|2010]], where he withdrew after suffering a concussion in a crash after a heat race against [[Sébastien Loeb]].

== Super GT ==
In 2015, Kovalainen moved to Japan to compete in [[Super GT]] (GT500 class) with [[Lexus]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.sard.co.jp/race_r/news_20150206 | title=LEXUS TEAM SARD、ドライバーはヘイキ・コバライネンに決定！ | publisher=SARD official website | date=2015-02-06 | access-date=2015-02-06 | language=ja | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212073841/http://www.sard.co.jp/race_r/news_20150206 | archive-date=12 February 2015 | url-status=dead }}</ref> In his [[2015 Super GT season|first season]] of Super GT, he drove the [[Lexus RC|Lexus RC F GT500]] for [[SARD]] with [[Kohei Hirate]]. The [[2016 Super GT Series|following year]] Kovalainen and Hirate won the Super GT championship: after going into the season's closing double header at [[Twin Ring Motegi]] in fourth place in the standings, they qualified on pole and led most of the first of the two races before dropping down to second, subsequently taking their only win of the season in the final round to clinch the title. The championship win was Kovalainen's first since winning the Nissan World Series in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/127085 |title=Ex-Formula 1 driver Heikki Kovalainen wins Super GT title in Japan |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=13 November 2016 |website=[[autosport.com]] |access-date=25 March 2017}}</ref> After the end of the 2021 season, Kovalainen announced that he would retire from the series.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Heikki Kovalainen Calls Time On Super GT Career After Seven Seasons {{!}} dailysportscar.com|url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2021/11/29/heikki-kovalainen-calls-time-on-super-gt-career-after-seven-seasons.html|access-date=2021-12-16|website=www.dailysportscar.com}}</ref>

== Rallying ==
[[File:2019 M.C.S.C. Rally Highland Masters JN2 Podium 02.jpg|thumb|2019 All Japanese Rally Championship, Heikki Kovalainen's first win and his Interview.]]

Like many of his compatriots, Kovalainen developed an interest in rallying, with him stating it was a "childhood dream".<ref>{{cite web |url= https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/why-kovalainen-is-already-so-good-at-rallying/|title=WHY KOVALAINEN IS ALREADY SO GOOD AT RALLYING|date= 30 April 2022|work= Alasdair Lindsay|publisher= DirtFish|location= United States of America|language= English|accessdate= 3 May 2022}}</ref> An initial attempt at rallying was made in 2009 to contest the [[Arctic Rally]] after being released from his "restrictive" contract with McLaren in Formula One, with Kovalainen reportedly set to drive a [[Proton Satria#Proton Satria Neo Super 2000 Rally Car|Proton Satria Neo S2000]] rally car in the 2010 Arctic Rally;<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.autosport.com/general/news/kovalainen-linked-to-arctic-rally-drive-4435323/4435323/ | title=Kovalainen linked to Arctic Rally drive | publisher=Autosport | date=2009-12-16 | access-date=2022-05-03}}</ref> this plan ultimately never came to be as Kovalainen "did not have time to seriously prepare for the rally".<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.motor1.com/news/19654/no-arctic-rally-outing-for-kovalainen/ | title=No Arctic Rally outing for Kovalainen | publisher=Motor1 | date=2010-01-18 | access-date=2022-05-03}}</ref> He would make his actual rallying debut at the same rally five years later in 2015,<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.is.fi/ralli/art-2000000867194.html|title=Kovalainen säväytti Lapissa|trans-title=Kovalainen surprised in Lapland|date= 23 January 2015|work= Janne Aittoniemi|publisher= [[Ilta-Sanomat]]|location= Finland|language= Finnish|accessdate= 3 May 2022}}</ref> finishing third in his class.

Kovalainen's first foray into rallying in Japan came in 2016, entering four events of the Japan Rally Championship with co-driver Sae Kitagawa in a [[Toyota 86|Toyota GT86 CS-R3]] campaigned by [[SARD]]. Kovalainen retired in Hokkaido but finished second in his class at the Shinshiro Rally.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.rallyplus.net/25637|script-title=ja:コバライネン、最終戦新城ラリーを総合４位 クラス２位のポディウムフィニッシュ|trans-title=Kovalainen finishes the final round Shinshiro Rally in 4th place overall and 2nd in class|date= 9 November 2016|work= RALLY PLUS|publisher= Rally.net|location= Japan|language= Japanese|accessdate= 3 May 2022}}</ref> Kovalainen would return to the series in 2018 with the same car and co-driver but now competing for Rally Team AICELLO on a part-time schedule, as well as the Japan Super Rally Series in 2019, also with the same car and co-driver. Kovalainen was supposed to compete in the Japan Rally Championship full-time in 2020, but the onset of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] halted these plans;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://automobilist.com/magazine/the-finnish-speedster-in-conversation-with-heikki-kovalainen|title=The Finnish Speedster: In conversation with Heikki Kovalainen|date= 21 April 2020|publisher= Automobilist|accessdate= 3 May 2022}}</ref> he only competed in the Chūbu-Kinki Rally that year, winning the rally.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.rallyplus.net/74104|script-title=ja:コバライネン「どんなラリーも難しいし、僕にとっては練習になる」|trans-title=Kovalainen: "Any rally is difficult, so this is practice for me"|date= 10 November 2020|work= RALLY PLUS|publisher= Rally.net|location= Japan|language= Japanese|accessdate= 3 May 2022}}</ref> He would finally compete full-time in the series in 2021 with Kitagawa in the JN2 class; Kovalainen dominated the championship, achieving a class victory in all six races and clinching the championship with a round to spare.<ref name=jrc>{{cite web |url=https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/kovalainen-rally-japan-2022-plans/7169203/|title=Kovalainen eyes Japan WRC outing after SUPER GT exit|date= 21 January 2022|work= Jamie Klein|publisher= [[Motorsport.com]]|accessdate= 3 May 2022}}</ref>

Following his Super GT exit, Kovalainen concentrated on rallying full-time in the Japan Rally Championship with Rally Team AICELLO, now driving a [[Škoda Fabia R5]] in the JN1 class. He also announced plans to potentially compete in [[Rally Japan]], the final round of the [[World Rally Championship]], in a WRC2 car.<ref name=jrc />

==24 Hours of Le Mans==
Kovalainen was slated to compete in the [[2021 24 Hours of Le Mans]] in the #72 [[Porsche 911 RSR-19]] for HubAuto Racing, alongside fellow Super GT competitor [[Nick Cassidy]] and GT racer [[Dries Vanthoor]]; a clashing commitment caused by the rescheduling of the Suzuka Round of the [[2021 Super GT Series]] meant that Kovalainen and Cassidy were ultimately unable to attend.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.motorsport.com/lemans/news/kovalainen-supergt-clash-hubauto-porsche/6637960/|title=Kovalainen's Le Mans plans scuppered by SUPER GT clash|date= 29 July 2021|work= Jamie Klein|publisher= [[Motorsport.com]]|accessdate= 3 May 2022}}</ref> They were replaced by [[Álvaro Parente]] and [[Maxime Martin]]. Despite this, Kovalainen stated that he would still be open to racing at Le Mans should an opportunity arise, although the Japan Rally Championship was still his priority.<ref name=jrc />

== Extreme E ==
Kovalainen made his [[Extreme E]] debut in the [[2023 Extreme E Championship|2023 season]] for [[JBXE]]; he was partnered with [[Hedda Hosås]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-03 |title=Formula One winner Heikki Kovalainen joins JBXE to partner Hedda Hosås |url=https://www.extreme-e.com/en/news/780_Formula-One-winner-Heikki-Kovalainen-joins-JBXE-to-partner-Hedda-Hosas |access-date= |website=Extreme E - The Electric Odyssey |language=en}}</ref> He was replaced with [[Andreas Bakkerud]] after two rounds of the championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://racer.com/2023/05/08/bakkerud-to-replace-kovalainen-jbxe/|title=Bakkerud to replace Kovalainen at Button's JBXE|website=Racer.com|last=Wilde|first=Dominik|date=8 May 2023|access-date=8 May 2023}}</ref>

==Personal life==
In 2014, Kovalainen married his English girlfriend Catherine Hyde, with whom he has been in a relationship since 2002. They live in [[Coppet]], Switzerland.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mtvuutiset.fi/artikkeli/kovalainen-iski-silmansa-hampurilaismyyjaan-rakkaustarina-kuvina/3532194 |title=Kovalainen iski silmänsä hampurilaismyyjään – rakkaustarina kuvina |date=17 July 2014 |website={{ill|MTV (Finnish company)|fi|MTV (yritys)|lt=MTVuutiset.fi}} |language=fi |access-date=15 November 2019}}</ref> In June 2023 they welcomed their first child, a son.

Kovalainen plays the [[drum kit|drums]] and [[golf]]s in his free time.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/fit-to-post-autos/heikki-kovalainen-plays-golf-mind-off-f1-033440829.html |title=Heikki Kovalainen plays golf to take his mind off F1 |date=12 October 2011 |website=Yahoo News Singapore |language=en |access-date=6 September 2021}}</ref>

==Racing record==

===Career summary===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%; text-align:center"
|-
! Season
! Series
! Team
! Races
! Wins
! Poles
! F/Laps
! Podiums
! Points
! Position
|-
!rowspan=3| 2001
|align=left| [[2001 Formula Renault 2.0 UK Championship|Formula Renault UK]]
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan="3"| [[Fortec Motorsport]]
| 13
| 2
| 2
| 3
| 5
| 243
| 4th
|-
|align=left|  [[Macau Grand Prix]]
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| N/A
| 8th
|-
|align=left| [[Korea Super Prix]]
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| N/A
| 25th
|-
!rowspan=4| 2002
|align=left| [[2002 British Formula Three Championship|British Formula 3 Championship]]
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan="4"| [[Fortec Motorsport]]
| 26
| 5
| 2
| 3
| 12
| 257
|style="background:#ffdf9f;"| '''3rd'''
|-
|align=left| [[2002 Macau Grand Prix|Macau Grand Prix]]
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 1
| N/A
|style="background:#dfdfdf;"| '''2nd'''
|-
|align=left| [[Korea Super Prix]]
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| N/A
| 14th
|-
|align=left| [[2002 Masters of Formula 3|Masters of Formula 3]]
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| N/A
| 4th
|-
! 2003
|align=left| [[2003 World Series by Nissan season|World Series by Nissan]]
|align=left| Gabord Competición
| 18
| 1
| 3
| 1
| 4
| 134
|style="background:#dfdfdf;"| '''2nd'''
|-
! rowspan="2" | 2004
|align=left| [[2004 World Series by Nissan season|World Series by Nissan]]
|align=left| [[Pons Racing]]
| 18
| 6
| 10
| 8
| 11
| 176
|style="background:#ffffbf;"| '''1st'''
|-
|align=left| [[2004 Formula One World Championship|Formula One]]
|align=left| [[Mild Seven]] [[Renault F1|Renault F1 Team]]
| colspan="7" |Test driver
|-
! rowspan="2" | 2005
|align=left| [[2005 GP2 Series season|GP2 Series]]
|align=left| [[Arden International]]
| 23
| 5
| 2
| 1
| 12
| 105
|style="background:#dfdfdf;"| '''2nd'''
|-
|align=left| [[2005 Formula One World Championship|Formula One]]
|align=left| [[Mild Seven]] [[Renault F1|Renault F1 Team]]
| colspan="7" |Test driver
|-
!rowspan=2| 2006
|align=left rowspan=2| [[2006 Formula One season|Formula One]]
|align=left| [[Mild Seven]] [[Renault F1|Renault F1 Team]]
|colspan=7 rowspan=2 | Test driver
|-
|align=left| [[McLaren|Team McLaren]] [[Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines|Mercedes]]
|-
! 2007
|align=left| [[2007 Formula One season|Formula One]]
|align=left| [[Renault F1|ING Renault F1 Team]]
| 17
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 1
| 30
| 7th
|-
! 2008
|align=left| [[2008 Formula One season|Formula One]]
|align=left| [[Vodafone]] [[McLaren]] [[Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines|Mercedes]]
| 18
| 1
| 1
| 2
| 3
| 53
| 7th
|-
! 2009
|align=left| [[2009 Formula One season|Formula One]]
|align=left| [[Vodafone]] [[McLaren]] [[Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines|Mercedes]]
| 17
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 22
| 12th
|-
! 2010
|align=left| [[2010 Formula One season|Formula One]]
|align=left| [[Team Lotus (2010–11)|Lotus Racing]]
| 19
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 20th
|-
! 2011
|align=left| [[2011 Formula One season|Formula One]]
|align=left| [[Team Lotus (2010–11)|Team Lotus]]
| 19
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 22nd
|-
! 2012
|align=left| [[2012 Formula One season|Formula One]]
|align=left| [[Caterham F1|Caterham F1 Team]]
| 20
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 22nd
|-
!rowspan=2| 2013
|align=left rowspan=2| [[2013 Formula One season|Formula One]]
|align=left| [[Caterham F1|Caterham F1 Team]]
|colspan=7 | Test driver
|-
|align=left| [[Lotus F1|Lotus F1 Team]]
| 2
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 21st
|-
! 2014
|align=left| [[2014 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters season|Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters]]
|align=left| [[BMW Motorsport]]
|colspan=7 | Test driver
|-
! 2015
|align=left| [[2015 Super GT season|Super GT - GT500]]
|align=left| [[SARD|Lexus Team SARD]]
| 8
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 23
| 13th
|-
! 2016
|align=left| [[2016 Super GT season|Super GT - GT500]]
|align=left| [[SARD|Lexus Team SARD]]
| 8
| 1
| 2
| 0
| 4
| 82
|style="background:#FFFFBF;"| '''1st'''
|-
! 2017
|align=left| [[2017 Super GT Series|Super GT - GT500]]
|align=left| [[SARD|Lexus Team SARD]]
| 8
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 2
| 44
| 8th
|-
! 2018
|align=left| [[2018 Super GT Series|Super GT - GT500]]
|align=left| [[SARD|Lexus Team SARD]]
| 8
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 2
| 42
| 9th
|-
!rowspan=2| 2019
|align=left| [[2019 Super GT Series|Super GT - GT500]]
|align=left| [[SARD|Lexus Team SARD]]
| 8
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 1
| 44
| 5th
|-
|align=left| [[2019 Intercontinental GT Challenge|Intercontinental GT Challenge]]
|align=left| HubAuto Corsa
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| NC
|-
! 2020
|align=left| [[2020 Super GT Series|Super GT - GT500]]
|align=left| [[Toyota Motorsport GmbH|Toyota Gazoo Racing]] [[SARD|Team SARD]]
| 6
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 1
| 31
| 11th
|-
! 2021
|align=left| [[2021 Super GT Series|Super GT - GT500]]
|align=left| [[Toyota Motorsport GmbH|Toyota Gazoo Racing]] [[SARD|Team SARD]]
| 8
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 34
| 13th
|-
! 2022
|align=left| [[2022 World Rally Championship|World Rally Championship]]
|align=left| Heikki Kovalainen
| 1
| 0
| N/A
| N/A
| 0
| 1
| 37th
|-
!rowspan=2| 2023
|align=left| [[2023 Extreme E Championship|Extreme E Championship]]
|align=left| [[JBXE]]
| 2
| 0
| N/A
| N/A
| 0
| 5
| 19th
|-
|align=left| [[2023 World Rally Championship|World Rally Championship]]
|align=left| Heikki Kovalainen
| 1
| 0
| N/A
| N/A
| 0
| 0
| NC
|}
<!--<sup>*</sup> Season still in progress.-->

===Complete Formula Renault 2.0 UK Championship results===
([[:Template:Motorsport driver results legend|key]]) (Races in '''bold''' indicate pole position) (Races in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap)
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"
! Year
! Entrant
! 1
! 2
! 3
! 4
! 5
! 6
! 7
! 8
! 9
! 10
! 11
! 12
! 13
! DC
! Pts
|-
| [[2001 Formula Renault 2.0 UK Championship|2001]]
! nowrap| [[Fortec Motorsports]]
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Brands Hatch|BHI]]<br>{{small|15}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Thruxton Circuit|THR]]<br>{{small|14}}
|style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[Oulton Park|OUL]]<br>{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Silverstone Circuit|SIL]]<br>{{small|7}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| ''[[Donington Park|DON]]''<br>{{small|18}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Knockhill Racing Circuit|KNO]]<br>{{small|5}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Snetterton Motor Racing Circuit|SNE]]<br>{{small|5}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Croft Circuit|CRO]]<br>{{small|5}}
|style="background:#DFDFDF;"| [[Oulton Park|OUL]]<br>{{small|2}}
|style="background:#FFFFBF;"| '''''[[Silverstone Circuit|SIL]]'''''<br>{{small|1}}
|style="background:#FFFFBF;"| '''''[[Silverstone Circuit|SIL]]'''''<br>{{small|1}}
|style="background:#DFDFDF;"| [[Donington Park|DON]]<br>{{small|2}}
|style="background:#FFDF9F;"| [[Brands Hatch|BGP]]<br>{{small|3}}
! 4th
! 243
|-
|}

===Complete British Formula 3 results===
([[:Template:Motorsport driver results legend|key]]) (Races in '''bold''' indicate pole position) (Races in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap)
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"
! Year
! Entrant
! Chassis
! Engine
! 1
! 2
! 3
! 4
! 5
! 6
! 7
! 8
! 9
! 10
! 11
! 12
! 13
! 14
! 15
! 16
! 17
! 18
! 19
! 20
! 21
! 22
! 23
! 24
! 25
! 26
! 27
! DC
! Pts
|-
| [[2002 British Formula Three Championship|2002]]
!nowrap| [[Fortec Motorsport]]
!nowrap| [[Dallara|Dallara F302]]
!nowrap| [[Sodemo Moteurs|Renault Sodemo]]
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Brands Hatch|BRH<br>1]]<br />{{small|8}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Brands Hatch|BRH<br>2]]<br />{{small|10}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Donington Park|DON<br>1]]<br />{{small|7}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Donington Park|DON<br>2]]<br />{{small|6}}
|style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[Silverstone Circuit|SIL<br>1]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#DFDFDF;"| [[Silverstone Circuit|SIL<br>2]]<br />{{small|2}}
|style="background:#FFDF9F;"| [[Knockhill|KNO<br>1]]<br />{{small|3}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Knockhill|KNO<br>2]]<br />{{small|13}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Croft Circuit|CRO<br>1]]<br />{{small|4}}
|style="background:#FFFFFF;"| [[Croft Circuit|CRO<br>2]]<br />{{small|C}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Silverstone Circuit|SIL<br>1]]<br />{{small|21}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Silverstone Circuit|SIL<br>2]]<br />{{small|8}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Castle Combe Circuit|CAS<br>1]]<br />{{small|4}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Castle Combe Circuit|CAS<br>2]]<br />{{small|17}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Brands Hatch|BRH<br>1]]<br />{{small|14}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Brands Hatch|BRH<br>2]]<br />{{small|5}}
|style="background:#DFDFDF;"| '''[[Rockingham Motor Speedway|ROC<br>1]]'''<br />{{small|2}}
|style="background:#DFDFDF;"| [[Rockingham Motor Speedway|ROC<br>2]]<br />{{small|2}}
|style="background:#FFFFBF;"| '''[[Oulton Park|OUL<br>1]]'''<br />{{small|1}}
|style="background:#FFDF9F;"| [[Oulton Park|OUL<br>2]]<br />{{small|3}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Snetterton Circuit|SNE<br>1]]<br />{{small|4}}
|style="background:#FFDF9F;"| [[Snetterton Circuit|SNE<br>2]]<br />{{small|3}}
|style="background:#FFFFBF;"| [[Snetterton Circuit|SNE<br>3]]<br />{{small|1}}
|style="background:#FFFFBF;"| ''[[Thruxton Circuit|THR<br>1]]''<br />{{small|1}}
|style="background:#FFFFBF;"| [[Thruxton Circuit|THR<br>2]]<br />{{small|1}}
|style="background:#FFFFBF;"| ''[[Donington Park|DON<br>1]]''<br />{{small|1}}
|style="background:#DFDFDF;"| [[Donington Park|DON<br>2]]<br />{{small|2}}
!style="background:#FFDF9F;"| 3rd
!style="background:#FFDF9F;"| 257
|}

===Complete World Series by Nissan results===
([[:Template:Motorsport driver results legend|key]]) (Races in '''bold''' indicate pole position) (Races in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap)
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"
|-
! Year
! Entrant
! 1
! 2
! 3
! 4
! 5
! 6
! 7
! 8
! 9
! 10
! 11
! 12
! 13
! 14
! 15
! 16
! 17
! 18
! DC
! Points
|-
| [[2003 World Series by Nissan|2003]]
! nowrap| Gabord Competición
|bgcolor="#DFFFDF"| [[Circuito del Jarama|JAR1<br>1]]<br>{{small|4}}
|bgcolor="#FFDF9F"| [[Circuito del Jarama|JAR1<br>2]]<br>{{small|3}}
|bgcolor="#EFCFFF"| [[Circuit Zolder|ZOL<br>1]]<br>{{small|Ret}}
|bgcolor="#DFFFDF"| [[Circuit Zolder|ZOL<br>2]]<br>{{small|7}}
|bgcolor="#DFFFDF"| [[Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours|MAG<br>1]]<br>{{small|5}}
|bgcolor="#DFFFDF"| [[Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours|MAG<br>2]]<br>{{small|6}}
|bgcolor="#EFCFFF"| [[Autodromo Nazionale Monza|MNZ<br>1]]<br>{{small|Ret}}
|bgcolor="#EFCFFF"| [[Autodromo Nazionale Monza|MNZ<br>2]]<br>{{small|Ret}}
|bgcolor="#DFDFDF"| '''[[Lausitzring|LAU<br>1]]'''<br>{{small|2}}
|bgcolor="#FFFFBF"| '''[[Lausitzring|LAU<br>2]]'''<br>{{small|1}}
|bgcolor="#DFFFDF"| [[Österreichring|A1R<br>1]]<br>{{small|8}}
|bgcolor="#DFFFDF"| [[Österreichring|A1R<br>2]]<br>{{small|6}}
|bgcolor="#DFFFDF"| [[Circuit de Catalunya|CAT<br>1]]<br>{{small|6}}
|bgcolor="#DFFFDF"| [[Circuit de Catalunya|CAT<br>2]]<br>{{small|8}}
|bgcolor="#DFFFDF"| [[Circuito Ricardo Tormo|VAL<br>1]]<br>{{small|6}}
|bgcolor="#DFFFDF"| [[Circuito Ricardo Tormo|VAL<br>2]]<br>{{small|4}}
|bgcolor="#DFDFDF"| [[Circuito del Jarama|JAR2<br>1]]<br>{{small|2}}
|bgcolor="#DFFFDF"| '''''[[Circuito del Jarama|JAR2<br>2]]'''''<br>{{small|5}}
!style="background:#DFDFDF;"| 2nd
!style="background:#DFDFDF;"| {{Tooltip|131|134 total, 3 dropped points.}}
|-
| [[2004 World Series by Nissan|2004]]
! nowrap| [[Pons Racing]]
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"|[[Circuito del Jarama|JAR<br>1]]<br>{{small|7}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"|[[Circuito del Jarama|JAR<br>2]]<br>{{small|4}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"|[[Zolder|ZOL<br>1]]<br>{{small|4}}
|style="background:#DFDFDF;"|'''[[Zolder|ZOL<br>2]]'''<br>{{small|2}}
|style="background:#DFDFDF;"|'''''[[Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours|MAG<br>1]]'''''<br>{{small|2}}
|style="background:#FFFFBF;"|'''''[[Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours|MAG<br>2]]'''''<br>{{small|1}}
|style="background:#DFDFDF;"|'''[[Circuit Ricardo Tormo|VAL1<br>1]]'''<br>{{small|2}}
|style="background:#FFFFBF;"|'''''[[Circuit Ricardo Tormo|VAL1<br>2]]'''''<br>{{small|1}}
|style="background:#FFFFBF;"|'''''[[EuroSpeedway Lausitz|LAU<br>1]]'''''<br>{{small|1}}
|style="background:#FFFFBF;"|'''''[[EuroSpeedway Lausitz|LAU<br>2]]'''''<br>{{small|1}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|''[[Autódromo do Estoril|EST<br>1]]''<br>{{small|13}}
|style="background:#FFDF9F;"|''[[Autódromo do Estoril|EST<br>2]]''<br>{{small|3}}
|style="background:#DFDFDF;"|[[Circuit de Catalunya|CAT<br>1]]<br>{{small|2}}
|style="background:#FFFFBF;"|'''''[[Circuit de Catalunya|CAT<br>2]]'''''<br>{{small|1}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"|[[Circuit Ricardo Tormo|VAL2<br>1]]<br>{{small|10}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"|[[Circuit Ricardo Tormo|VAL2<br>1]]<br>{{small|5}}
|style="background:#FFFFBF;"|'''[[Circuito de Jerez|JER<br>1]]'''<br>{{small|1}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|'''[[Circuito de Jerez|JER<br>1]]'''<br>{{small|14}}
!style="background:#FFFFBF;"| 1st
!style="background:#FFFFBF;"| {{Tooltip|186|191 total, 5 points dropped.}}
|-
|}

===Complete GP2 Series results===
([[:Template:Motorsport driver results legend|key]]) (Races in '''bold''' indicate pole position) (Races in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap)
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"
|-
! Year
! Entrant
! 1
! 2
! 3
! 4
! 5
! 6
! 7
! 8
! 9
! 10
! 11
! 12
! 13
! 14
! 15
! 16
! 17
! 18
! 19
! 20
! 21
! 22
! 23
! DC
! Points
|-
| [[2005 GP2 Series season|2005]]
!nowrap| [[Arden International]]
|style="background:#ffffbf;"| [[2005 Imola GP2 Series round|IMO<br>FEA]]<br>{{small|1}}
|style="background:#ffdf9f;"| [[2005 Imola GP2 Series round|IMO<br>SPR]]<br>{{small|3}}
|style="background:#ffdf9f;"| [[2005 Catalunya GP2 Series round|CAT<br>FEA]]<br>{{small|3}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[2005 Catalunya GP2 Series round|CAT<br>SPR]]<br>{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| '''''[[2005 Monaco GP2 Series round|MON<br>FEA]]'''''<br>{{small|5}}
|style="background:#ffffbf;"| [[2005 Nürburgring GP2 Series round|NÜR<br>FEA]]<br>{{small|1}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[2005 Nürburgring GP2 Series round|NÜR<br>SPR]]<br>{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#ffffbf;"| [[2005 Magny-Cours GP2 Series round|MAG<br>FEA]]<br>{{small|1}}
|style="background:#ffdf9f;"| [[2005 Magny-Cours GP2 Series round|MAG<br>SPR]]<br>{{small|3}}
|style="background:#dfdfdf;"| [[2005 Silverstone GP2 Series round|SIL<br>FEA]]<br>{{small|2}}
|style="background:#ffdf9f;"| [[2005 Silverstone GP2 Series round|SIL<br>SPR]]<br>{{small|3}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[2005 Hockenheimring GP2 Series round|HOC<br>FEA]]<br>{{small|5}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[2005 Hockenheimring GP2 Series round|HOC<br>SPR]]<br>{{small|6}}
|style="background:#dfdfdf;"| [[2005 Hungaroring GP2 Series round|HUN<br>FEA]]<br>{{small|2}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[2005 Hungaroring GP2 Series round|HUN<br>SPR]]<br>{{small|5}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2005 Istanbul Park GP2 Series round|IST<br>FEA]]<br>{{small|10}}
|style="background:#ffffbf;"| [[2005 Istanbul Park GP2 Series round|IST<br>SPR]]<br>{{small|1}}
|style="background:#ffffbf;"| '''[[2005 Monza GP2 Series round|MNZ<br>FEA]]'''<br>{{small|1}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[2005 Monza GP2 Series round|MNZ<br>SPR]]<br>{{small|5}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2005 Spa-Francorchamps GP2 Series round|SPA<br>FEA]]<br>{{small|15†}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2005 Spa-Francorchamps GP2 Series round|SPA<br>SPR]]<br>{{small|9}}
|style="background:#ffdf9f;"| [[2005 Bahrain GP2 Series round|BHR<br>FEA]]<br>{{small|3}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[2005 Bahrain GP2 Series round|BHR<br>SPR]]<br>{{small|Ret}}
!style="background:#dfdfdf;"| 2nd
!style="background:#dfdfdf;"| 105
|}

===Complete Formula One results===
([[:Template:F1 driver results legend 2|key]]) (Races in '''bold''' indicate pole position) (Races in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap)
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"
|-
! Year
! Entrant
! Chassis
! Engine
! 1
! 2
! 3
! 4
! 5
! 6
! 7
! 8
! 9
! 10
! 11
! 12
! 13
! 14
! 15
! 16
! 17
! 18
! 19
! 20
! WDC
! [[List of Formula One World Championship points scoring systems|Points]]
|-
| [[2007 Formula One season|2007]]
!nowrap| [[ING Group|ING]] [[Renault in Formula One|Renault F1 Team]]
!nowrap| [[Renault in Formula One|Renault]] [[Renault R27|R27]]
!nowrap| [[Renault in Formula One|Renault]] RS27 2.4 [[V8 engine|V8]]
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2007 Australian Grand Prix|AUS]]<br>{{small|10}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[2007 Malaysian Grand Prix|MAL]]<br>{{small|8}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2007 Bahrain Grand Prix|BHR]]<br>{{small|9}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[2007 Spanish Grand Prix|ESP]]<br>{{small|7}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2007 Monaco Grand Prix|MON]]<br><small>13{{sup|†}}</small>
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[2007 Canadian Grand Prix|CAN]]<br>{{small|4}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[2007 United States Grand Prix|USA]]<br>{{small|5}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2007 French Grand Prix|FRA]]<br>{{small|15}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[2007 British Grand Prix|GBR]]<br>{{small|7}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[2007 European Grand Prix|EUR]]<br>{{small|8}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[2007 Hungarian Grand Prix|HUN]]<br>{{small|8}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[2007 Turkish Grand Prix|TUR]]<br>{{small|6}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[2007 Italian Grand Prix|ITA]]<br>{{small|7}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[2007 Belgian Grand Prix|BEL]]<br>{{small|8}}
|style="background:#dfdfdf;"| [[2007 Japanese Grand Prix|JPN]]<br>{{small|2}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2007 Chinese Grand Prix|CHN]]<br>{{small|9}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[2007 Brazilian Grand Prix|BRA]]<br>{{small|Ret}}
|
|
|
! 7th
! 30
|-
| [[2008 Formula One season|2008]]
!nowrap| [[Vodafone]] [[McLaren]] [[Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains|Mercedes]]
!nowrap| [[McLaren]] [[McLaren MP4-23|MP4-23]]
!nowrap| [[Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains|Mercedes]] FO 108V 2.4 [[V8 engine|V8]]
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| ''[[2008 Australian Grand Prix|AUS]]''<br>{{small|5}}
|style="background:#ffdf9f;"| [[2008 Malaysian Grand Prix|MAL]] <br>{{small|3}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| ''[[2008 Bahrain Grand Prix|BHR]]''<br>{{small|5}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[2008 Spanish Grand Prix|ESP]]<br>{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2008 Turkish Grand Prix|TUR]]<br>{{small|12}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[2008 Monaco Grand Prix|MON]]<br>{{small|8}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2008 Canadian Grand Prix|CAN]]<br>{{small|9}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[2008 French Grand Prix|FRA]]<br>{{small|4}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| '''[[2008 British Grand Prix|GBR]]'''<br>{{small|5}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[2008 German Grand Prix|GER]]<br>{{small|5}}
|style="background:#ffffbf;"| [[2008 Hungarian Grand Prix|HUN]]<br>{{small|1}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[2008 European Grand Prix|EUR]]<br>{{small|4}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2008 Belgian Grand Prix|BEL]]<br><small>10{{sup|†}}</small>
|style="background:#dfdfdf;"| [[2008 Italian Grand Prix|ITA]]<br>{{small|2}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2008 Singapore Grand Prix|SIN]]<br>{{small|10}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[2008 Japanese Grand Prix|JPN]]<br>{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[2008 Chinese Grand Prix|CHN]]<br>{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[2008 Brazilian Grand Prix|BRA]]<br>{{small|7}}
|
|
! 7th
! 53
|-
| [[2009 Formula One season|2009]]
!nowrap| [[Vodafone]] [[McLaren]] [[Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains|Mercedes]]
!nowrap| [[McLaren]] [[McLaren MP4-24|MP4-24]]
!nowrap| [[Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains|Mercedes]] FO 108W 2.4 [[V8 engine|V8]]
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[2009 Australian Grand Prix|AUS]]<br>{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[2009 Malaysian Grand Prix|MAL]]<br>{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[2009 Chinese Grand Prix|CHN]]<br>{{small|5}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2009 Bahrain Grand Prix|BHR]]<br>{{small|12}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[2009 Spanish Grand Prix|ESP]]<br>{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[2009 Monaco Grand Prix|MON]]<br>{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2009 Turkish Grand Prix|TUR]]<br>{{small|14}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[2009 British Grand Prix|GBR]]<br>{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[2009 German Grand Prix|GER]]<br>{{small|8}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[2009 Hungarian Grand Prix|HUN]]<br>{{small|5}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[2009 European Grand Prix|EUR]]<br>{{small|4}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[2009 Belgian Grand Prix|BEL]]<br>{{small|6}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[2009 Italian Grand Prix|ITA]]<br>{{small|6}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[2009 Singapore Grand Prix|SIN]]<br>{{small|7}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2009 Japanese Grand Prix|JPN]]<br>{{small|11}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2009 Brazilian Grand Prix|BRA]]<br>{{small|12}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix|ABU]]<br>{{small|11}}
|
|
|
! 12th
! 22
|-
| {{f1|2010}}
!nowrap| [[Team Lotus (2010–11)|Lotus Racing]]
!nowrap| [[Team Lotus (2010–11)|Lotus]] [[Lotus T127|T127]]
!nowrap| [[Cosworth]] CA2010 2.4 [[V8 engine|V8]]
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2010 Bahrain Grand Prix|BHR]]<br />{{small|15}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2010 Australian Grand Prix|AUS]]<br />{{small|13}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2010 Malaysian Grand Prix|MAL]]<br />{{small|NC}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2010 Chinese Grand Prix|CHN]]<br />{{small|14}}
|style="background:white;"| [[2010 Spanish Grand Prix|ESP]]<br />{{small|DNS}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[2010 Monaco Grand Prix|MON]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[2010 Turkish Grand Prix|TUR]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2010 Canadian Grand Prix|CAN]]<br />{{small|16}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[2010 European Grand Prix|EUR]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2010 British Grand Prix|GBR]]<br />{{small|17}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[2010 German Grand Prix|GER]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2010 Hungarian Grand Prix|HUN]]<br />{{small|14}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2010 Belgian Grand Prix|BEL]]<br />{{small|16}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2010 Italian Grand Prix|ITA]]<br />{{small|18}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2010 Singapore Grand Prix|SIN]]<br /><small>16{{sup|†}}</small>
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2010 Japanese Grand Prix|JPN]]<br />{{small|12}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2010 Korean Grand Prix|KOR]]<br />{{small|13}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2010 Brazilian Grand Prix|BRA]]<br />{{small|18}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix|ABU]]<br />{{small|17}}
|
! 20th
! 0
|-
| {{F1|2011}}
!nowrap| [[Team Lotus (2010–11)|Team Lotus]]
!nowrap| [[Team Lotus (2010–11)|Lotus]] [[Lotus T128 (Formula One car)|T128]]
!nowrap| [[Renault in Formula One|Renault]] RS27-2011 2.4 [[V8 engine|V8]]
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[2011 Australian Grand Prix|AUS]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2011 Malaysian Grand Prix|MAL]]<br />{{small|15}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2011 Chinese Grand Prix|CHN]]<br />{{small|16}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2011 Turkish Grand Prix|TUR]]<br />{{small|19}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[2011 Spanish Grand Prix|ESP]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2011 Monaco Grand Prix|MON]]<br />{{small|14}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[2011 Canadian Grand Prix|CAN]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2011 European Grand Prix|EUR]]<br />{{small|19}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[2011 British Grand Prix|GBR]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2011 German Grand Prix|GER]]<br />{{small|16}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[2011 Hungarian Grand Prix|HUN]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2011 Belgian Grand Prix|BEL]]<br />{{small|15}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2011 Italian Grand Prix|ITA]]<br />{{small|13}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2011 Singapore Grand Prix|SIN]]<br />{{small|16}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2011 Japanese Grand Prix|JPN]]<br />{{small|18}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2011 Korean Grand Prix|KOR]]<br />{{small|14}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2011 Indian Grand Prix|IND]]<br />{{small|14}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2011 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix|ABU]]<br />{{small|17}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2011 Brazilian Grand Prix|BRA]]<br />{{small|16}}
|
! 22nd
! 0
|-
| [[2012 Formula One season|2012]]
!nowrap| [[Caterham F1|Caterham F1 Team]]
!nowrap| [[Caterham F1|Caterham]] [[Caterham CT01|CT01]]
!nowrap| [[Renault in Formula One|Renault]] RS27-2012 2.4 [[V8 engine|V8]]
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[2012 Australian Grand Prix|AUS]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2012 Malaysian Grand Prix|MAL]]<br />{{small|18}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2012 Chinese Grand Prix|CHN]]<br />{{small|23}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2012 Bahrain Grand Prix|BHR]]<br />{{small|17}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2012 Spanish Grand Prix|ESP]]<br />{{small|16}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2012 Monaco Grand Prix|MON]]<br />{{small|13}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2012 Canadian Grand Prix|CAN]]<br />{{small|18}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2012 European Grand Prix|EUR]]<br />{{small|14}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2012 British Grand Prix|GBR]]<br />{{small|17}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2012 German Grand Prix|GER]]<br />{{small|19}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2012 Hungarian Grand Prix|HUN]]<br />{{small|17}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2012 Belgian Grand Prix|BEL]]<br />{{small|17}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2012 Italian Grand Prix|ITA]]<br />{{small|14}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2012 Singapore Grand Prix|SIN]]<br />{{small|15}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2012 Japanese Grand Prix|JPN]]<br />{{small|15}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2012 Korean Grand Prix|KOR]]<br />{{small|17}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2012 Indian Grand Prix|IND]]<br />{{small|18}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix|ABU]]<br />{{small|13}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2012 United States Grand Prix|USA]]<br />{{small|18}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2012 Brazilian Grand Prix|BRA]]<br />{{small|14}}
! 22nd
! 0
|-
|rowspan=2| [[2013 Formula One season|2013]]
!nowrap| [[Caterham F1|Caterham F1 Team]]
!nowrap| [[Caterham F1|Caterham]] [[Caterham CT03|CT03]]
!rowspan=2 nowrap| [[Renault in Formula One|Renault]] RS27-2013 2.4 [[V8 engine|V8]]
| [[2013 Australian Grand Prix|AUS]]
| [[2013 Malaysian Grand Prix|MAL]]
| [[2013 Chinese Grand Prix|CHN]]
| style="background:#f1f8ff;"| [[2013 Bahrain Grand Prix|BHR]]<br>{{small|TD}}
| style="background:#f1f8ff;"| [[2013 Spanish Grand Prix|ESP]]<br>{{small|TD}}
| [[2013 Monaco Grand Prix|MON]]
| [[2013 Canadian Grand Prix|CAN]]
| [[2013 British Grand Prix|GBR]]
| [[2013 German Grand Prix|GER]]
| [[2013 Hungarian Grand Prix|HUN]]
| style="background:#f1f8ff;"| [[2013 Belgian Grand Prix|BEL]]<br>{{small|TD}}
| style="background:#f1f8ff;"| [[2013 Italian Grand Prix|ITA]]<br>{{small|TD}}
| [[2013 Singapore Grand Prix|SIN]]
| [[2013 Korean Grand Prix|KOR]]
| style="background:#f1f8ff;"| [[2013 Japanese Grand Prix|JPN]]<br>{{small|TD}}
| [[2013 Indian Grand Prix|IND]]
| style="background:#f1f8ff;"| [[2013 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix|ABU]]<br>{{small|TD}}
|
|
|
!rowspan=2| 21st
!rowspan=2| 0
|-
!nowrap| [[Lotus F1|Lotus F1 Team]]
!nowrap| [[Lotus F1|Lotus]] [[Lotus E21|E21]]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2013 United States Grand Prix|USA]]<br />{{small|14}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[2013 Brazilian Grand Prix|BRA]]<br />{{small|14}}
|
|}
{{sup|†}} Did not finish, but was classified as he had completed more than 90% of the race distance.

===Complete Super GT results===
([[:Template:Motorsport driver results legend|key]]) (Races in '''bold''' indicate pole position) (Races in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap)
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"
|-
! Year
! Team
! Car
! Class
! 1
! 2
! 3
! 4
! 5
! 6
! 7
! 8
! DC
! Points
|-
| [[2015 Super GT season|2015]]
!nowrap|[[SARD|Lexus Team SARD]]
!nowrap|[[Lexus RC|Lexus RC F]]
!GT500
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Okayama International Circuit|OKA]]<br>{{small|5}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ]]<br>{{small|5}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Chang International Circuit|CHA]]<br>{{small|7}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ]]<br>{{small|9}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Suzuka Circuit|SUZ]]<br>{{small|11}}
|style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[Sportsland SUGO|SUG]]<br>{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Autopolis|AUT]]<br>{{small|13}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Twin Ring Motegi|MOT]]<br>{{small|6}}
! 13th
! 23
|-
| [[2016 Super GT season|2016]]
!nowrap| [[SARD|Lexus Team SARD]]
!nowrap| [[Lexus RC|Lexus RC F]]
! GT500
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Okayama International Circuit|OKA]]<br>{{small|7}}
|style="background:#DFDFDF;"| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ]]<br>{{small|2}}
|style="background:#DFDFDF;"| [[Sportsland SUGO|SUG]]<br>{{small|2}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ]]<br>{{small|8}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Suzuka Circuit|SUZ]]<br>{{small|8}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Chang International Circuit|CHA]]<br>{{small|7}}
|style="background:#DFDFDF;"| '''[[Twin Ring Motegi|MOT]]'''<br>{{small|2}}
|style="background:#FFFFBF;"| '''[[Twin Ring Motegi|MOT]]'''<br>{{small|1}}
!style="background:#FFFFBF;"| 1st
!style="background:#FFFFBF;"| 82
|-
| [[2017 Super GT Series|2017]]
!nowrap| [[SARD|Lexus Team SARD]]
!nowrap| [[Lexus LC|Lexus LC500]]
! GT500
|style="background:#FFDF9F;"| [[Okayama International Circuit|OKA]]<br>{{small|3}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ]]<br>{{small|7}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Autopolis|AUT]]<br>{{small|14}}
|style="background:#FFFFBF;"| [[Sportsland SUGO|SUG]]<br>{{small|1}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ]]<br>{{small|10}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Suzuka Circuit|SUZ]]<br>{{small|13}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Chang International Circuit|CHA]]<br>{{small|6}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Twin Ring Motegi|MOT]]<br>{{small|8}}
! 8th
! 44
|-
| [[2018 Super GT Series|2018]]
!nowrap| [[SARD|Lexus Team SARD]]
!nowrap| [[Lexus LC 500 GT500|Lexus LC 500]]
! GT500
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Okayama International Circuit|OKA]]<br>{{small|12}}
|style="background:#DFDFDF;"| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ]]<br>{{small|2}}
|style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[Suzuka Circuit|SUZ]]<br>{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#FFFFBF;"| [[Chang International Circuit|CHA]]<br>{{small|1}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ]]<br>{{small|11}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Sportsland SUGO|SUG]]<br>{{small|10}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Autopolis|AUT]]<br>{{small|8}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Twin Ring Motegi|MOT]]<br>{{small|8}}
! 9th
! 42
|-
| [[2019 Super GT Series|2019]]
!nowrap| [[SARD|Lexus Team SARD]]
!nowrap| [[Lexus LC 500 GT500|Lexus LC 500]]
! GT500
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Okayama International Circuit|OKA]]<br>{{small|11}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ]]<br>{{small|4}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Suzuka Circuit|SUZ]]<br>{{small|5}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Chang International Circuit|CHA]]<br>{{small|5}}
|style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ]]<br>{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#FFFFBF;"| [[Autopolis|AUT]]<br>{{small|1}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Sportsland SUGO|SUG]]<br>{{small|7}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Twin Ring Motegi|MOT]]<br>{{small|11}}
! 5th
! 44
|-
| [[2020 Super GT Series|2020]]
!nowrap| [[Toyota Gazoo Racing|TGR]] [[SARD|Team SARD]]
!nowrap| [[Toyota Supra#Fifth generation (J29/DB; 2019)|Toyota GR Supra GT500]]
! GT500
| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ]]
| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ]]
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Suzuka Circuit|SUZ]]<br>{{small|5}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Twin Ring Motegi|MOT]]<br>{{small|9}}
|style="background:#FFFFBF;"| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ]]<br>{{small|1}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Suzuka Circuit|SUZ]]<br>{{small|11}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Twin Ring Motegi|MOT]]<br>{{small|8}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ]]<br>{{small|14}}
! 11th
! 31
|-
| [[2021 Super GT Series|2021]]
!nowrap| [[Toyota Gazoo Racing|TGR]] [[SARD|Team SARD]]
!nowrap| [[Toyota Supra#Fifth generation (J29/DB; 2019)|Toyota GR Supra GT500]]
! GT500
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Okayama International Circuit|OKA]]<br>{{small|4}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ]]<br>{{small|6}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Twin Ring Motegi|MOT]]<br>{{small|10}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Suzuka Circuit|SUZ]]<br>{{small|14}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Sportsland SUGO|SUG]]<br>{{small|5}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Autopolis|AUT]]<br>{{small|5}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Twin Ring Motegi|MOT]]<br>{{small|11}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ]]<br>{{small|4}}
! 13th
! 34
|}
<!--<sup>*</sup> Season still in progress.-->

===World Rally Championship results===
{| class="wikitable" border="1" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%;"
|-
! Year
! Entrant
! Car
! 1
! 2
! 3
! 4
! 5
! 6
! 7
! 8
! 9
! 10
! 11
! 12
! 13
! WDC
! Points
|-
| [[2022 World Rally Championship|2022]]
!nowrap| Heikki Kovalainen
!nowrap| [[Škoda Fabia R5]]
| [[2022 Monte Carlo Rally|MON]]
| [[2022 Rally Sweden|SWE]]
| [[2022 Croatia Rally|CRO]]
| [[2022 Rally de Portugal|POR]]
| [[2022 Rally Italia Sardegna|ITA]]
| [[2022 Safari Rally|KEN]]
| [[2022 Rally Estonia|EST]]
| [[2022 Rally Finland|FIN]]
| [[2022 Ypres Rally|BEL]]
| [[2022 Acropolis Rally|GRE]]
| [[2022 Rally New Zealand|NZL]]
| [[2022 Rally de España|ESP]]
| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[2022 Rally Japan|JPN]]<br />{{small|10}}
! 37th
! 1
|-
| [[2023 World Rally Championship|2023]]
!nowrap| Heikki Kovalainen
!nowrap| [[Škoda Fabia R5]]
| [[2023 Monte Carlo Rally|MON]]
| [[2023 Rally Sweden|SWE]]
| [[2023 Rally Mexico|MEX]]
| [[2023 Croatia Rally|CRO]]
| [[2023 Rally de Portugal|POR]]
| [[2023 Rally Italia Sardegna|ITA]]
| [[2023 Safari Rally|KEN]]
| [[2023 Rally Estonia|EST]]
| [[2023 Rally Finland|FIN]]
| [[2023 Acropolis Rally|GRE]]
| [[2023 Rally Chile|CHL]]
| [[2023 Central European Rally|EUR]]
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[2023 Rally Japan|JPN]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
! NC
! 0
|-
| [[2024 World Rally Championship-2|2024]]
! [[Heikki Kovalainen]]
! [[Toyota GR Yaris Rally2]]
| [[2024 Monte Carlo Rally|MON]]
| [[2024 Rally Sweden|SWE]]
| [[2024 Safari Rally|KEN]]
| [[2024 Croatia Rally|CRO]]
| [[2024 Rally de Portugal|POR]]
| [[2024 Rally Italia Sardegna|ITA]]
| [[2024 Rally Poland|POL]]
| [[2024 Rally Latvia|LAT]]
| [[2024 Rally Finland|FIN]]
| [[2024 Acropolis Rally|GRE]]
| [[2024 Rally Chile|CHL]]
| [[2024 Central European Rally|EUR]]
| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[2024 Rally Japan|JPN]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
! NC
! 0
|-
|}

==See also==
* [[Formula One drivers from Finland]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{commons|Heikki Kovalainen}}
* {{official website|http://www.heikkikovalainen.com}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-sports}}
{{succession box|title=[[Formula 3.5 V8|World Series by Nissan]]<br />champion|before=[[Franck Montagny]]|after=[[Robert Kubica]]|years=[[2004 World Series by Nissan season|2004]]}}
{{succession box|title=[[Race of Champions]]<br />[[Race of Champions#History|Champion of Champions]]|before=[[Sébastien Loeb]]|after=[[Sébastien Loeb]]|years=[[Race of Champions#2004|2004]]}}
{{succession box|title=[[Race of Champions]]<br />[[Race of Champions#History|Nations Cup Winner]]|before=[[Tom Kristensen (racing driver)|Tom Kristensen]]<br />[[Mattias Ekström]]|after=[[Michael Schumacher]]<br />[[Sebastian Vettel]]|years=[[Race of Champions#2006|2006]]|with=[[Marcus Grönholm]] }}
{{succession box|title= [[Super GT]]<br>GT500 Champion|before= [[Tsugio Matsuda]]<br/>[[Ronnie Quintarelli]] |after= [[Nick Cassidy]]<br>[[Ryo Hirakawa]] |years= [[2016 Super GT Series|2016]]|with=[[Kohei Hirate]]}}
{{s-ach}}
{{succession box|before=[[Kimi Räikkönen]]|title=[[AKK Motorsport]]<br />Finnish Driver of the Year|after=[[Kimi Räikkönen]]|years=2004}}
{{s-end}}

{{Renault F1}}
{{McLaren}}
{{Caterham F1}}
{{Lotus F1}}
{{Formula One drivers from Finland}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kovalainen, Heikki}}
[[Category:1981 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Suomussalmi]]
[[Category:Finnish racing drivers]]
[[Category:Karting World Championship drivers]]
[[Category:British Formula Renault 2.0 drivers]]
[[Category:British Formula Three Championship drivers]]
[[Category:GP2 Series drivers]]
[[Category:Finnish Formula One drivers]]
[[Category:Renault Formula One drivers]]
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[[Category:Team Lotus (2010–11) Formula One drivers]]
[[Category:Caterham Formula One drivers]]
[[Category:Lotus F1 Formula One drivers]]
[[Category:Super GT drivers]]
[[Category:Formula One race winners]]
[[Category:Fortec Motorsport drivers]]
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[[Category:World Rally Championship drivers]]
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[[Category:Extreme E drivers]]
[[Category:Finnish rally drivers]]
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